EXPERIENCES WITH CHOLECYSTOGRAPHY

Abstract

Cholecystography as originated by Graham and his associates¹has not only proved to be a diagnostic agent of great value but also provides an excellent means for investigation of the function of the gallbladder. The test is an application of the discovery by Abel and Rowntree²that the liver secretes the halogen compounds of phenolphthalein. Graham and Cole¹first recommended the intravenous injection of the calcium and sodium salts of tetrabromphenolphthalein for this purpose. On account of the greater atomic weight of iodin, however, and the larger proportion of it in the salt, we estimated that sodium tetra-iodophenolphthalein should be approximately twice as opaque to roentgen rays as sodium tetrabromphenolphthalein. Extensive experimentation confirmed this belief, and proved the toxicity of the two compounds to be approximately the same. With equal toxicity and the necessity for a dose only half as large, it was obvious that the iodin